Battery with a Moveable Membrane Separating a Cathode and Anode Cavity

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery has a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and a anode cavity in a anode housing. A moveable membrane is disposed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity. The cathode cavities are filled with an electrolyte.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to rechargeable batteries and especially to rechargeable batteries for use in environments with high temperatures and pressure, such as in oil and gas drilling. Over the years, drilling depths have increased resulting in prolonged periods that downhole batteries are exposed to the high temperature, downhole environment.[0002]In deep wells, an instrumented bottom hole assembly is critical. Unfortunately, battery life of current instrumentation is shorter than drill bit life, thereby requiring, in some case, operators to trip out the drill string more frequently than desired. These multiple trips result in longer drilling times and more expensive drilling operations. At least some batteries currently used for downhole applications comprise non-rechargeable cells based on lithium thionyl chloride chemistry and have limited operating temperature ranges.[0003]The prior art discloses some batteries configured for dow...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The rechargeable battery may further comprise at least one heating element adjacent to the cathode or anode housing. Internal heating methods may reduce deleterious thermal processes during transient heating and may also be more energy efficient. A layer of thermal insulation may surround the at least one heating element and the cathode and the anode housing. The cathode housing of a first rechargeable battery may be in connection with the anode housing of a second rechargeable battery. An electrical insulator may be disposed between the cathode housing of the first and second rechargeable battery and also between the anode housing of the first and second rechargeable battery.

Problems solved by technology

Over the years, drilling depths have increased resulting in prolonged periods that downhole batteries are exposed to the high temperature, downhole environment.

Unfortunately, battery life of current instrumentation is shorter than drill bit life, thereby requiring, in some case, operators to trip out the drill string more frequently than desired.

These multiple trips result in longer drilling times and more expensive drilling operations.

At least some batteries currently used for downhole applications comprise non-rechargeable cells based on lithium thionyl chloride chemistry and have limited operating temperature ranges.

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